做
zuò
In Chinese, the English verb 'do' is expressed as 做 (zuò).
The verb 做 is used to perform tasks or to make and create objects, such as a meal or furniture. It is also used idiomatically in the phrase 做人, which literally means 'to do a person' but refers to how one conducts oneself or one's character in society.
Meaning: perform tasks (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 做 can mean 'to do', it is also the primary verb used for 'to make' or 'to create' an object.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a task has been completed, the aspect particle 了 (le) is added after the verb, forming 做了 to mean 'did' or 'has done'.
How do you pronounce it?
zuò
Did you know?
- The character 做 contains the component 古, which means 'ancient'. This part of the character actually evolved from a different character, 乍, through a process of visual corruption over many centuries.
- When using 做 to talk about a profession, such as 'doing' a teacher, Chinese speakers use it as a synonym for 'being' or 'serving as' a role.
- While 做 is the verb for 'do' or 'make' in Mandarin, Cantonese often uses different characters or words to distinguish between performing a task and manufacturing an object.
Examples in context
- 做点什么吧！Do something!The first sentence is useful for suggesting someone take action.Tatoeba #4264880 by notabene, translation #24928 by Eldad
- 怎麼做箱子？How do you make a box?The second sentence shows how to ask about the process of making an object.Tatoeba #5595090 by verdastelo9604, translation #38347 by CK
- 到别处去做。Do it somewhere else.The third sentence is useful for telling someone to perform an action in a different location.Tatoeba #5794105 by verdastelo9604, translation #1565499 by CM
- 做作业 (zuò zuòyè)Do homework
- 做家务 (zuò jiāwù)Do housework
- 办生意 (bàn shēngyì)Do business
- 弄头发 (nòng tóufa)Do hair
- 搞研究 (gǎo yánjiū)Do research
- 1174 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, discussing household chores.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你今天要做什么？Nǐ jīntiān yào zuò shénme?What do you need to do today?
- 伟 Wei我得做家务。Wǒ děi zuò jiāwù.I have to do housework.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也要做菜。Wǒ yě yào zuò cài.I also need to cook.
- 伟 Wei那我们一起做吧。Nà wǒmen yìqǐ zuò ba.Then let's do it together.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 做, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
